Wedding Party

Michelle Lopez

Bride

Javier Lopez

Groom

Melanie Czarnik

Matron of Honor

Not many people are born with a built in best friend, confidant, and soulmate. I'm not sure how I got so lucky to get Melanie as my person but I literally cannot imagine life without her. I also would not be able to make any decisions without her. Our mom would always say how lucky we are to have each other, and she is right. The best twinny in the world.

Michael Sanchez

Best Man

Sanchez and I met in 2012 while stationed together in Camp Lejeune. We deployed together and were brought up shoulder-to-shoulder by some of the best Marines we know, but it was our shared interests in traveling and culture that shaped our friendship. Sanchez is someone I can always count on. I’m proud to call him a Brother and friend.

Rachel Medema

Bridesmaid

I met Rachel in our sorority. I put a note under her dorm room door and told her to pick me as her Big because I knew we'd hit it off since we were both psychology majors. We've been so close ever since! I consider Rachel a sister and someone I cannot go through this life without. I'm forever grateful for the love, support and margaritas she's given me over the years, through the high highs and low lows. I'm lucky to have her sunshine in my life.

Jose Lopez

Groomsman

Jose and I were born two years apart. We grew up sharing a room, clothes, friends, and too many memories to list. Jose and I are also Brothers through the Marine Corps and that's very rare. Jose is a risk taker and he always inspires me to achieve more.

Jeannina Ruiz

Bridesmaid

I met Jeannina in our first semester of grad school. When I heard she was from New Jersey going to school in Chicago, I gave her my phone number and told her we should be friends! The rest is history. We survived grad school together while we figured out what we wanted to do with our lives, personally and professionally. After grad school, Jeannina moved back to NJ and we became long distance best friends but I wouldn't trade our connection and friendship for the world. She is someone I can trust with my life and everyone deserves a friend like her. (But don't get any ideas, she's mine!)

Jake Fritzler

Groomsman

Fritz and I met Freshman year of high school (he had long bleach blonde hair, tight black jeans, and a Sublime shirt). Although Fritz's hair went through many episodes since, the one thing that remained constant was his authenticity. Fritz has always been the realest person in the room and that's what I love about him. Brace yourself to hear about his band, tattoos, KISS, and fitness.

Pepper

Best Kitty

Pepper is our little Black Panther. Many of you know her for her boxing skills and hisses, but behind closed doors, Pepper is extremely cuddly and loving. Pepper makes the best biscuits this side of the Mississippi. Although she loves sneaking into our luggage on pre-trip packing days, she won't be present at the wedding-thanks, FAA.

Oliver

Best Doggo

Oliver is our best bud and dear son. Oliver is such an intelligent boy and his cuteness consistently brightens up people's days- we're lucky to have his unwavering love. Unfortunately, the world is backwards and doesn't allow good boys to fly on our laps so he won't be present at the wedding.

Michael Czarnik

Officiant

Mike is our brother-in-law. Mike has been there since the beginning of our relationship and has a true account of our love story. If you're lucky enough to catch Mike in a conversation, you'll likely walk away with 10 new facts, but 5 of them are probably not true. Mike is an ambassador of love and sometimes his emotions pour out of him- you'll know because he might not be able to get through our ceremony without crying (or bawling). In this life, you don't get to choose your family but we are incredibly fortunate to have Mike in ours.